The Caterpillar D6 is a medium bulldozer with a nominal operating weight of 18 short tons (16 t). It has been in the Caterpillar range since 1935, when it appeared as the RD6 with a three-cylinder engine, and it has gone through more versions than almost any other track-type tractor.
Caterpillar D6 at a glance
| Type | medium track-type tractor |
|---|---|
| Nominal operating weight | 18 short tons (16 t) |
| Military classification | SNL G152 medium tractor |
| 1935 | RD6 with a three-cylinder 45 hp (34 kW) D6600 engine |
| 1937 | the RD6 renamed D6 |
| 1941 | new D6, 4R and 5R series, D4600 engine of 55 hp (41 kW) |
| 1947 | 8U and 9U series, six-cylinder D318 of 66 hp (49 kW) |
| 1959 | D6B, after 60,000 D6 4R/5R and 8U/9U tractors |
| 1963 | D6C |
| 1977 | D6D of 140 hp (100 kW), and a D6D SA of 125 hp for farming |
| 1986 | D6H, the first D6 with an elevated drive sprocket |
| 1996 | D6R, five models from 165 to 185 hp on the 3306T engine |
History of the Caterpillar D6
RD6 to the D6B
The D6 started in 1935 as the RD6, fitted with a three-cylinder 45 hp (34 kW) D6600 engine, and was renamed D6 in 1937. Caterpillar introduced an entirely new D6 in 1941 with the 4R and 5R series, powered by the D4600 engine of 55 hp (41 kW) at the drawbar. Those were replaced in 1947 by the 8U and 9U series with the six-cylinder D318 engine of 66 hp (49 kW). In 1959 the D6 was replaced by the D6B, after 60,000 of the 4R/5R and 8U/9U tractors had been built.
D6C to D6H
The D6C came in 1963. In 1977 Caterpillar introduced the D6D with a 140 hp (100 kW) engine, alongside a D6D SA version of 125 hp at the drawbar for agricultural use. The D6H arrived in 1986 together with three other H-series track-type tractors and was the first D6 with the elevated drive sprocket undercarriage.
D6R and the later models
The D6R replaced the D6H in 1996 in five models ranging from the 165 hp (123 kW) D6R to the 175 hp (130 kW) D6R XL and XR and the 185 hp (138 kW) D6R XL (IG) and D6R LGP, all on the Cat 3306T six-cylinder engine. The D6M XL and D6M LGP, with 140 hp, weighed 33,200 and 36,400 pounds and used the Cat 3116T engine. Since 1996 Caterpillar has also introduced the D6K at 125 hp and 12,886 kg, the D6N at 150 hp and 16,555 kg and the D6T at 165 hp and 21,180 kg.
Design and features
- Medium size: 18 short tons (16 t) nominal, between the D5 and the D7.
- Military version: the SNL G152 medium tractor under the US Army G-numbers system.
- Elevated sprocket: from the D6H of 1986.
- Five D6R models: from 165 to 185 hp on the 3306T engine.
- Many blades and rear tools: S, U and S-U blades, PAT blades, rippers, winches and a three-point hitch for farming.
Caterpillar D6 versions
- D6 4R and 5R (1941): D4600 engine of 55 hp.
- D6 8U and 9U (1947): six-cylinder D318 of 66 hp.
- D6B and D6C (1959–63): the two series that followed.
- D6D and D6D SA (1977): 140 hp and a 125 hp agricultural version.
- D6H (1986): first with the elevated drive sprocket.
- D6R, D6M, D6K, D6N and D6T (1996 onwards): the modern line, from 125 to 185 hp.
The D6 is the medium tractor between the Caterpillar D5 and the Caterpillar D7; more machines are in the Caterpillar collection.
Video: CAT D6 XL with nice sound pushing dirt
Video by German Highway construction on YouTube.
Sources
- Caterpillar D6, English Wikipedia: weight, military classification, version history, later models, blades and rear equipment
